USA trip (July-August 2016)

[Henrik]

Hi

OK the great. master plan to do a FF1600 race in the US failed.
However we are still going and have started planning.
I think we have covered all the major sightings but If you know about anything worthwhile to watch or take a detour for please let me know.

We (myself my wife and our 6yrs old boy) are interested in
Museum race/car/mechanical
Local car gathering
Senic view/drive
Old diners
Any "local must see"
Local hike
etc


Our plans so far:
Arrive to Boston on 12-July
5 days in Boston/New Hampshire area
NASCAR at New Hampshire 17-July
Fly to Las Vegas on the 18th
4 days aground Vegas and Grand Canyon
Fly to San Francisco
4 days in SF area
4 days along Hwy 1 to Los Angeles
5 days in LA area
Fly back home around the 10th of August

[Purple Frog]

Everyone has their favorites... YMMV

When I think Boston, I also think Acadia National Park

If its July, when I go to Grand Canyon, I go to the North Rim to miss the throngs.
The wives always love Brice Canyon in the afternoon.

San Francisco...
Walk "the Bridge"
dine at Stenson Beach
Muir Woods
Yosemite (avoid the valley on weekends, stay on the high roads)
17 Mile Drive @ Carmel
Aquarium at Monterrey
Drinks on the deck overlooking the Pacific at the Napthe Inn @ Big Sur

L.A. (I avoid )
Santa Monica Pier
Getty Museum

[ric baribeault]

Boston: Art Museum, Fanueil Hall, eat at the North End. Particularly La Dolce Vita. Great Italian owned by Franco. Huge Ferrari/Schumacher fan. Shop Newbury street.
LA: Disneyland, Marconi Auto Museum, and (in a rare disagreement with PF) the Santa Monica Pier. 101 north from Monterey is a fantastic drive.
San Diego zoo if you can make it

[teamwisconsin]

If you can delay your departure date by a week (and you'll be in California already anyways...) the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Laguna Seca... And of course there's all the shows/auctions/rallies/gatherings that go along with Monterey Car Week! http://www.montereycarweek.com/Events.html

[R. Pare]

New Hampshire:

Drive up Mt Washington, or take the Cog Railway up on the west side of the mountain ( assuming that the weather is good) For either, you will want cold weather clothes as it can be damned cold up there ( never mind damned windy!) even mid-summer.

Kancamagus Highway( scenic drive up and over a mountain pass just south of Mt Washington) if Mt. Washington is socked in. A couple of great - but awfully cold! - mountain stream swimming holes on the way up the East side of the pass that your son would love.

For hiking, look into The Flume.

Or head to Portsmouth and check out the USS Albacore - the first "teardrop" shaped sub that served as the prototype for all modern subs. If you plan ahead enough, you can possibly also get a tour of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard ( where many of the US nuke subs were built).

If you get to the Portsmouth area, an old college girlfriend of mine gives seashore tidal pool tours that your son would love as well. http://coastencounters.com/contact/

Acadia is a bit of a hike for such a short stay - definitely something to see if you had a couple extra days.

For Boston add in the Museum of Art, Children's Museum, and Museum of Science. Also look into any of the Boston Harbor boat tours. Too bad you won't arrive until after July 4th - Boston always puts on a hell of a firework show.

Out West - Grand Canyon is a MUST. Check also into any of the scenic steam railroad tours in the Rockies.

I'll leave it to the CA guys to make recommendations for out there, though you might also check with Neil Porter about a rental FF for a race out there if the timing is right.

[BeerBudgetRacing]

If you can delay your departure date by a week (and you'll be in California already anyways...) the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Laguna Seca... And of course there's all the shows/auctions/rallies/gatherings that go along with Monterey Car Week! http://www.montereycarweek.com/Events.html

Scca racing July 22-24 at Laguna. But it looks like he'll be late for that...
Maybe that's where he could catch a ride

[BillH]

If you can delay your departure date by a week (and you'll be in California already anyways...) the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Laguna Seca... And of course there's all the shows/auctions/rallies/gatherings that go along with Monterey Car Week! http://www.montereycarweek.com/Events.html

Yea, if you can change the date, this is not to be missed. Especially if Monterey is on your list any way.

Concorso Italiano - 200 Ferrari's, 100+ Lamborghini's, 80+ Alpha Romeros', 50 Panteras
and more one mile from the track.

Laguna Seca -The races go on all day, there's always something interesting on the track.

Paddock - So many cars, if you stopped and looked at every one, it would take you 3 days.

[BeerBudgetRacing]

The first thing you'll see heading south from Big Sur is:
http://hearstcastle.org/
near a little town called Cambria...

Another couple hours south is Solvang:
http://www.solvangusa.com/

Another 30 minutes and your in my area - Santa Barbara - about 90 minutes northwest of LA - you'll be passing through since you're coming down Hwy 1

You might be early for Fiesta:
http://www.oldspanishdays-fiesta.org/

We have the Old Mission, Courthouse and other historical sites.

[R. Pare]

You might also look into a railroad museum - I don't know of any 6 year old boys (or boys of any age!) who don't LOVE railroads and especially steam locomotives!

http://www.railmuseums.com/namerica/

Of particular interest are the Union Pacific "Big Boy" steam engines made mid-century - the largest ever built:

http://www.steamlocomotive.com/bigboy/

[Steve Demeter]

If you manage to work Detroit in there, a visit to the Henry Ford Museum is an absolute MUST.

I realize that would involve a huge change in your itinerary.

[Ralph Z.]

If you get to Detroit...Then head south a couple of hours to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Speedway Museum.

[Chris Robson]

Don't forget the Peterson Museum if you do end up in LA.

[Offcamber1]

Spend the four days you allocated there in the mountains instead. Any mountains, there's lots of them.

[ric baribeault]

I left out one thing in Boston. Definitely do a Duck Tour. Great way to see the city and get a good bit of history at the same time

[TimH]

Spend the four days you allocated there in the mountains instead. Any mountains, there's lots of them.

From Vegas can do the Bryce/Zion/NorthRim/CedarBreaks tour for 2-3 days.

[SteveG]

While in SF...

Alcatraz tour, make your reservations now. Before and after that you can bang around the tourist areas of SF. Dress in layers, it can be really cold in San Francisco in the summer.

Frog is right, Muir Wood is an excellent hike, huge redwood trees and a beautiful nature walk. After that, up highway 1 to Stinson beach. Head north from there to Point Reyes National Sea Shore, there is some outstanding hiking and sight seeing. Point Reyes light house is an interesting way point.

Figure to use 2 days with the above itinerary.

Steve

P.S. How do you tell a local from a tourist in SF? Shorts and tee shirts. Brrrrr, it cold.

[rickb99]

[color=purple]Everyone has their favorites... YMMV

When I think Boston, I also think Acadia National Park

wow Frog, That's not really a hop skip and a jump! I lived in Portland Maine for 8 years and the drive even from there Acadia wasn't considered a 'short' trip by any means. The majority of Acadia was donated by the Rockefeller family to the Park Service. It used to be their summer home. Although very pretty with some beautiful coastal spots, it really doesn't have the grandeur of a place like Yosemite.

You'd be better off waiting till San Francisco and taking a day trip to Yosemite Valley (easily done). Especially when you're driving a bright red brand new Datsun 240Z fresh off the boat

[Pi_guy]

I would suggest visiting the Boston Islands and touring Boston harbor, it is considered one of the jewels of the federal park system.
& if you find your self in Hull go eat at Jake`s Seafood

[R. Pare]

Almost forgot:

When in Boston, another "must" is the USS Constitution - "Old Ironsides" - the oldest still-commissioned and active warship in the world. If you like old sailing ships, this one is a beauty.

https://ussconstitutionmuseum.org/

[Henrik]

Thank's a lot for all inputs so far!

I will defeinetly have another look at the folllowing and they have been "stared" in my Google map

The USS Constitution, Boston
Jakes Seafood in Hull
Duck Tour, Boston

Yosemite will be passed on our way betwwen Las Vegas And San Fransico

Alcatraz, Stinson beach and Muir woods are allready in the plans

17 mile drive and Solvang will be added to the tour along Hwy 1

Peterson Museum & Marconi Auto Museum looks like a wortwhile addition.

San Diego Zoo looks like an alternative to Sea World wich I found rather expensive.

The first plan was the NASCAR race at Indianapolis but school start moved the trip earlier. I agree on the Ford Museum in Dearborn, a truly amazing collection.


Keep it coming!

[BeerBudgetRacing]

Yosemite will be passed on our way betwwen Las Vegas And San Fransico

Are you planning to drive Las Vegas to Yosemite via Highway 120?

I've never driven that, but my understanding is the road can be closed just about any time of year (although you're probably going at the best time). They've had a lot of snow. That whole area is about 10,000 feet elevation.

It'll take longer than you think. Anyone else know this route?

Google maps says it's 8+ hours = basically the same as going South on the 15, West on the 58 then North on the 99 to Yosemite.... Which would include a drive through Barstow, Bakersfield, Fresno and the heart of the lovely Central Valley

It will be HOT (100F+) that time of year.

But then again it's February 8th and 81F here.....

[TimH]

San Diego Zoo looks like an alternative to Sea World which I found rather expensive.

Absolutely! SeaWorld is a commercial tourist attraction, while the San Diego Zoo is one of the great ones in the world.

[Henrik]

Are you planning to drive Las Vegas to Yosemite via Highway 120?

I've never driven that, but my understanding is the road can be closed just about any time of year (although you're probably going at the best time). They've had a lot of snow. That whole area is about 10,000 feet elevation.

Great!
Maybe we can go skiing!

[R. Pare]

Just be careful that you don't make your wish list too optimistic for the time available. If you have not been to the States before, you will be shocked/surprised by the distances from one place to the other - especially when going from one end of the country to the other. Had some friends once from Holland who came to Indy for the 500, and somehow thought that they could drive up to Chicago in the morning and then on to Yellowstone for the afternoon!

[Henrik]

Just be careful that you don't make your wish list too optimistic for the time available. If you have not been to the States before, you will be shocked/surprised by the distances from one place to the other - especially when going from one end of the country to the other. Had some friends once from Holland who came to Indy for the 500, and somehow thought that they could drive up to Chicago in the morning and then on to Yellowstone for the afternoon!

Yes thanks for the warning it's so easy to try and cram everything in there.
Back in 2000 I did almost 14500 miles in 5,5 weeks on a expedition to the US testing get the Volvo On Call system. The itinerary was something like.
NY-Washington-Greensboro-Memphis-Atlanta-Savannah-Miami-Key West-Tampa-New Orleans-Huston-San Antonio-Dallas-Denver-Kansas City-St Louis-Chixago-Induanapolis-Detrout-Buffalo-NY

A lot of driving and hardly a vacation trip

[terryeaton]

While in the SF area there is the Avenue of Giants

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avenue_of_the_Giants

Or out of Fresno is the Sequoia National Park

http://www.nps.gov/seki/index.htm

Either one if not both are a must in my opinion.
Just a thought.

Avenue of Giants North of SF. Could catch Highway 1 south from 101 at Leggett. Stay over night Mendocino.

Enjoy your trip.

[rickb99]

Actually, there are two beautiful Redwood groves right in the Santa Cruz Mountains on the San Francisco Peninsula. You just need to find out where to find them. Look for Portola Redwood Park or, Big Basin Redwood Park.

They aren't as big an area as going up the coast. But, if you're interested in seeing some seriously large Redwoods they are just about as good as they get and not as far a drive.

[Henrik]

Actually, there are two beautiful Redwood groves right in the Santa Cruz Mountains on the San Francisco Peninsula. You just need to find out where to find them. Look for Portola Redwood Park or, Big Basin Redwood Park.

They aren't as big an area as going up the coast. But, if you're interested in seeing some seriously large Redwoods they are just about as good as they get and not as far a drive.

Thanks that tip will save us a day heading north from San Francisco


/Henrik

[TimH]

The Exploratorium is something not to be missed. If I lived there I would buy a membership.

[BeerBudgetRacing]

Henrik,

Just forget about Sweden and move here

You won't have time to go back!

[R. Pare]

Just remember that your 6-year-old will start to get a bit cranky if you do too much driving every day!

[Henrik]

Just remember that your 6-year-old will start to get a bit cranky if you do too much driving every day!

Yep. if he's not happy no one is......
4hrs between stops seams to be max but not every day.

[R. Pare]

Flying into Boston - oh god are you in for a shock! Craziest drivers and roadways of any city in this country! Easier than you can imagine to get totally lost! Lived there for 8 years, 30+ years ago, and you could always tell the non-local drivers by the bugged out eyes and white knuckles on the steering wheel! Whenever I fly back east nowadays, I try to land in Portland ( 30 miles from my home town) instead of Beantown simply because I don't want to deal with the crazy traffic there if I can avoid it!

[Purple Frog]

About half of the F2KCS field was made up with guys from the round-abouts of Boston. The other half came from Long Island.

[R. Pare]

About half of the F2KCS field was made up with guys from the round-abouts of Boston. The other half came from Long Island.

Are those LI guys the ones who on the Sunday afternoon races just sit there for hours blowing their horns?

[TimH]

Flying into Boston - oh god are you in for a shock!

I still have a copy of "Wild In The Streets - The Boston Driver's Handbook." The narrow roads and poor signage are a still a problem even if you know that Boston drivers are actually quite rational - they are just following a different set of rules than most of us know.

[R. Pare]

Boston restaurants:

Haven't eaten in any there for a couple decades, so I have a call in to a friend who lives there for more advice, but here is a start:

Top of the Hub - on top of the Prudential Building in downtown. Second tallest building in B-town with great views of the city. Food used to be excellent, and what reviews I find say that is still so. Not cheap, but not horrible either (at least back then!).

Anthony's Pier 4 - Used to be one of the busiest and best seafood restaurants in the country. Not really positive that it is still there ( some news reports from a couple years ago say that it was closing), but their web site is still up, so you may be in luck.

Legal Seafood - Again, was extremely good years ago. The one's I went to sat you at long community tables, so you got to meet some interesting characters at times.

There used to be some fantastic Mom & Pop Italian restaurants in the Italian North End that were as authentic Italian as you can get over here.

Check out also what is available in China Town. Used to be some really great Asian restaurants of all types there that we frequented back in our poor-boy college days.

I'll add/subtract from this when I get some feedback from my friend.

[R. Pare]

I still have a copy of "Wild In The Streets - The Boston Driver's Handbook." The narrow roads and poor signage are a still a problem even if you know that Boston drivers are actually quite rational - they are just following a different set of rules than most of us know.

One thing you learned driving in Boston was to drive a beater - if it was rough enough looking, you could out-chicken even the taxi drivers most of the time!

Rush hour on Storrow Drive was some of the best race training you could get!

[DanW]

+1 for Legal Seafood in Boston and Philly.

[sccadsr31]

What types of activities most interested you and your family?

I'm in the San Francisco bay area and there is so much to see and do here knowing something about your interests would help with suggestions.
Food wise there are so many and such diversity of ethnicity that you could spend the entire time eating. My wife and I love the Beach Chalet, best to just look it up for info on the history and scenic views, not pricey, great beer brewed on site. Skip the Cliff House, you can walk around it and see the views, food is ok but expensive.
Beach Blanket Babylon is a long running very funny night time event, again you should look it up.
Alcatraz is a great tirp and very interesting.
Coit Tower
Do a fast trip thought the Pier 39 stuff but is a lot of shopping.
Golden Gate park has enough to keep you busy be sure to look at their web site to see the main attractions, I would suggest the Conservatory of Flowers, and depending on the exhibits on display all of the museums are interesting, but they are just museums.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is world class, book early for a back stage tour. I would be happy to arrange for you to use our guest passes, saves you a couple of bucks. We could send them to your SF hotel and then you can mail them back.

Drive down from SF down Hwy 1, stop in Half Moon Bay at Barbara's Fish Trap, Surfing Museum in Santa Cruz, Moss Landing Elkhorn Slough Wild Life boat tour.

You do not really have enough time to do Yosemite unless you use some of the travel time to LA and skip most of Highway 1, missing HWY 1 and Big Sur would be a bigger loss than missing Yosemite. Skip the 17 mile drive and spend more time on HWY 1.

Hearst Castle is definitely worth the time and do the full tour.

I would go by Solvang California as fast as the legal limit allows.

In the LA area I would suggest the La Brea tar pits.

Skip Las Vegas (Lost Wages is smoke filled, great people watching but an ugly place) and just do the Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon.

David